scholarly journals The future trip: a story of transformational change

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 669-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Norrman Brandt ◽  
Ann-Christine Andersson ◽  
Sofia Kjellstrom
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Design ◽  
Transformational Change ◽  
External Pressure ◽  
Cultural Transformation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Competencies ◽  
Change Leaders ◽  
Systemic Understanding ◽  
Key Events

Purpose The study of successful transformational change processes in organizations has been limited. The purpose of this paper is to understand a change process and the type of change that occurred in a pharmaceutical company in Sweden 2005–2014. Design/methodology/approach An interactive research design was used, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 individuals, asking about their views on the change journey. Meetings and dialogue with leaders from the organization also took place. Observations from feedback meetings with leaders were included in the analysis. The results were analysed using a time-ordered display identifying key events, interpreted by a theoretical lens determining the type of change over a period of 10 years. Findings This was a transformational change caused by external pressure, supported by visionary and transparent leadership, collaborative methods aiming at broad involvement and systemic understanding. The results indicated a 40 per cent increase in productivity and altered organizational design and culture. Sense-making activities, persistent adoption of quality improvement tools, dispersed power and sequential change activities underpinned the success. Practical implications The results provide insight into the processes of transformational change. Change leaders were provided with knowledge, inspiration and insight when facing transformations. Social implications Increased prevalence of transformational change calls for new organizational competencies and altered roles for leaders and employees. There is a need for new ways of developing competence and new recruitment policies for leaders. Originality/value This case presents unique empirical evidence of a successful cultural transformation led by a leader using post-conventional principles.

Organisational culture: the hidden operand in clinical laboratories

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 273-280
Author(s):  
Wee Leong Chang ◽  
Jill Meyer ◽  
Fabrice Merien
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Transformational Change ◽  
Organisational Culture ◽  
Cultural Transformation ◽  
Competing Values Framework ◽  
Competing Values ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Clinical Laboratories

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present organisational cultural determinants that can influence total quality management (TQM) in clinical laboratories. Design/methodology/approach This is a viewpoint paper using evidence provided by a literature research about cultural patterns using Competing Values Framework to explain the relationship between organisational culture and TQM. Findings Cultural aspects likely to enhance creativity and innovation are considered as incentives in promoting cultural transformation. TQM in the average modern clinical laboratory requires a long overdue transformational change in values, culture and attitude. Social implications Valuing people, making up an organisation, is expected to enhance TQM. Originality/value This paper provokes a shift in thinking among traditional clinical laboratory managers and results in a win-win for both staff and total quality outcomes.

Creating the conditions for change: an NHS perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 345-361
Author(s):  
Karen Fitzgerald ◽  
Louise Biddle
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Change ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Change Initiatives ◽  
Linear Processes ◽  
Constant Attention ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustaining Change ◽  
Early Diagnosis Of Cancer ◽  
System Leaders ◽  
Change Framework

Purpose Improving early diagnosis of cancer through system change initiatives is endemic in England’s NHS cancer services. These initiatives, however, often fail to gain traction due to the complexities of health system structures. The purpose of this paper is to explore whether using a change framework grounded in systems thinking could be of help to system leaders. Design/methodology/approach A portfolio of geographically independent projects, all implementing cancer service changes as part of the Accelerate, Coordinate, Evaluate Programme, was used for the study. Eight projects were purposively selected to give a varied case-mix. Two semi-structured interviews were conducted with each project. Analysis of interviews was carried out using the Framework Method. Findings Processes working for (growth processes) and against (limiting processes) change were evident in and common across all eight projects. Projects commonly encountered challenges of relevance, time and bounded thinking. Having a network of committed people was vital for both initiating and sustaining change. Furthermore, understanding stakeholders’ emotional responses to change helped mitigate emergent challenges. Practical implications Leaders should pay constant attention to the dynamics of change, taking time to anticipate and diffuse challenges whilst simultaneously working to create the conditions that help change flourish. A change framework rooted in complex systems theory can help leaders understand the contradictory and non-linear processes inherent in transformational change. Originality/value Few studies seek to understand change dynamics by comparing the experiences of separate change initiatives implemented contemporaneously. The findings offer leaders practical insights on how to implement transformation.

scholarly journals Repairing political trust in Tunisia

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Malek Sghaier ◽  
Hamida Skandrani ◽  
Julie Robson
Keyword(s):  
Political Trust ◽  
Repair Process ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Trust Repair ◽  
Political Talk ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Key Events ◽  
First Time

Purpose This study aims to identify the responses required to repair political trust in Tunisia and the differences between two key stakeholder groups, namely, politicians and voters. Design/methodology/approach A sequential mixed method study was adopted using two data sources: semi-structured interviews conducted with citizens and politicians; and media data from TV political talk shows. Data was collected over a three-year period following several key events that affected trust. Findings New responses were identified to repair political trust, and these were categorized using a trust repair framework. In addition to short- and long-term responses, a new category, swift response, was identified to resolve immediate political uncertainty. The role of the trustor (i.e. voters) in actively restoring trust was identified for the first time. Research limitations/implications This study focussed on trust repair responses suggested by voters and politicians and not necessarily responses that were implemented by government or political parties during the period of study. The effectiveness of the suggested responses in repairing trust was not evaluated. Practical implications Identification of the responses required to repair trust with voters, how these differ over time, and according to different trust violations will help Tunisian politicians rebuild trust more effectively during election and non-election periods. Notably, differences highlighted between the responses suggested by voters and politicians suggest that politicians may not understand how to repair voter trust. Originality/value Contrary to previous studies that assume a trustor (the voter) is a passive observer, this research identified the proactive role that citizens play in the trust repair process.

Promoting sustainable palm oil in supply chain strategy: a food business case study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emel Kasim ◽  
Johanna Stöhr ◽  
Christian Herzig
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Palm Oil ◽  
Business Case ◽  
External Pressure ◽  
Ethnographic Case Study ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategy As Practice

PurposeThe study aims to enhance our understanding of strategizing sustainable palm oil at company level and to bridge the gap between strategy formulation and implementation. In this case-based study, the way a food company is tackling the challenges faced during the promotion and incorporation of sustainable palm oil into core business strategy is explored. By taking a strategy-as-practice approach, this research sheds light on the microlevel activities and the role of formulated plans, implemented actions and engagement in activities.Design/methodology/approachAn ethnographic case study was carried out using participant observation, semi-structured interviews, informal interviews and documentary review.FindingsThe findings demonstrate the complexity of implementing a sustainability strategy for a controversial commodity such as palm oil in supply chains. External pressure was one of the most important drivers for taking action regarding environmental and social sustainability issues. Moreover, formulating and implementing supply chain strategies for sustainable palm oil required effective communication and collaboration between different departments within the organization.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough important insights were obtained through this six-month long ethnographic case study, additional valuable information could have been obtained if the research had been carried out for longer.Practical implicationsThe paper includes implications for strategizing sustainability at company level from a strategy-as-practice perspective.Originality/valueThrough this study, a better understanding of the challenges faced from the downstream perspective in sustaining food supply chains can be obtained.

scholarly journals Transformational change by a post-conventional leader

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 457-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Norrman Brandt ◽  
Sofia Kjellström ◽  
Ann-Christine Andersson
Keyword(s):  
Change Process ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Organizational Transformation ◽  
Transformational Change ◽  
Change Processes ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Roles And Responsibilities ◽  
Holistic Understanding ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine people’s experience of a change process and if and how post-conventional leadership principles are expressed in the change process. Design/methodology/approach The study used a retrospective exploratory qualitative design. In total, 19 semi-structured interviews and 4 workshops were conducted and analyzed in accordance with a thematic qualitative analysis. Findings The post-conventional leadership appears to have facilitated an organizational transformation where explorative work methods aimed at innovation and improvement as well as holistic understanding was used. Dispersed power and mandate to employees, within set frames and with clear goals, created new ways of organizing and working. The leader showed personal consideration, acknowledged the importance of the emotionally demanding aspects of change and admitted the leader’s own vulnerability. Balance between challenge and support created courage to take on new roles and responsibilities. Most employees thrived and grew with the possibilities given, but some felt lack of support and clear directions. Practical implications Inspiration from this case on work methods and involvement of employees can be used on other change efforts. Social implications This study provides knowledge on leadership capabilities needed for facilitation of transformational change. Originality/value Few transformational change processes by post-conventional leaders are thoroughly described, and this study provides in-depth descriptions of post-conventional leadership in transformational change.

A spatial approach to transformational change

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 285-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mari Anna Chatarina Skogland
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Change Management ◽  
Cultural Change ◽  
Organisational Change ◽  
Transformational Change ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
The Right

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how strategic alignment of the corporations’ real estate with the organisational strategy may be used to facilitate change within an organisation’s collaborative culture. The focus is on the interconnectedness between spatial and behavioural artefacts in the transition process to a new workplace concept. Design/methodology/approach The discussion builds on observational studies and semi-structured interviews with 65 employees in a Norwegian organisation. Findings The findings indicate that the physical change, when supported by behavioural artefacts as change management actions, paved way for a cultural change towards increased collaboration between employees and across hierarchical levels. However, misalignments between the new workplace concept and existing behavioural artefacts and cultural constructs also restricted the organisation in fully achieving the intended ends. Research limitations/implications Applying a socio-material perspective with explicit focus on issues such as management and culture in workplace studies is important to develop better models for strategic use of a corporations’ real estate. Originality/value When new workplace concepts are implemented with the aim of effecting organisational change they require support of a focused change management process where both spatial and behavioural artefacts are designed to support employee adaptation to the new concept. By conducting the change as a continuous iterative process, extending beyond the moving process itself, the corporate real estate management (CREM) may add to the success by guiding and steering the organisation in the right direction.

scholarly journals User-driven efforts in creating knowledge graph information system

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-111
Author(s):  
Stanislava Gardasevic
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Resource Discovery ◽  
The Body ◽  
Knowledge Graph ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This paper presents the results of a qualitative study that involved students of an interdisciplinary PhD program. The study objective was to gather requirements to create a knowledge graph information system. The purpose of this study was to determine information-seeking practices and information needs of this community, to inform the functionalities of a proposed system, intended to help students with relevant resource discovery and decision-making. Design/methodology/approach The study design included semi-structured interviews with eight members of the community, followed by a website usability study with the same student participants. Findings Two main information-seeking styles are recognized and reported through user personas of international and domestic (USA) students. The findings show that the useful information resides within the community and not so much on the program website. Students rely on peer communication, although they report lack of opportunities to connect. Students’ information needs and information seeking are dependent on their progress through the program, as well as their motivation and the projected timeline. Practical implications Considering the current information needs and practices, a knowledge graph hosting both information on social networks and the knowledge produced by the activities of the community members would be useful. By recording data on their activities (for example, collaboration with professors and coursework), students would reveal further useful system functionalities and facilitate transfer of tacit knowledge. Originality/value Aside from the practical value of this research that is directly influencing the design of a system, it contributes to the body of knowledge on interdisciplinary PhD programs.

scholarly journals Unpacking the package

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 346-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Evans ◽  
Basil Phillip Tucker
Keyword(s):  
Organisational Change ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Management Control ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Informal Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Energy Company ◽  
Management Controls ◽  
Control Package

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the ways in which both formal and informal control, operating as a package, are implicated in responding to organisational change arising from the introduction of the Australian Federal Government’s Clean Energy Act (2011). Design/methodology/approach – This investigation is based on a review of archival data, and semi-structured interviews conducted with 15 staff at different hierarchical levels within an Australian renewable energy company. Findings – Although formal management control systems and informal control both played important roles in the organisation’s reorientation to organisational change, it was the latter form of control that predominated over the former. The influence of the prevailing organisational culture, however, was pivotal in orchestrating both formal and informal control efforts within this organisation. Originality/value – This study contributes to management control theory and practice in two ways: first, it provides much needed empirical evidence about the ways in which management controls act as a package; second, it offers insights into the relative importance of the components of a management control package in the context of a particular organisational change. In addition, it responds to Laughlin’s (1991) call for empirical “flesh” to be added to the skeletal framework he advocates to make this conceptualisation of organisational change, “more meaningful”.

Experience and expression of social isolation by inner-city high-rise residents

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 151-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Love M. Chile ◽  
Xavier M. Black ◽  
Carol Neill
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Inner City ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Rise ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Health And Social Care

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the significance of social isolation and the factors that create social isolation for residents of inner-city high-rise apartment communities. We critically examine how the physical environment and perceptions of safety in apartment buildings and the inner-city implicate the quality of interactions between residents and with their neighbourhood community. Design/methodology/approach – The authors used mixed-methods consisting of survey questionnaires supplemented by semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions using stratified random sampling to access predetermined key strata of inner-city high-rise resident population. Using coefficient of correlation we examine the significance of the association between social isolation, age and ethnicity amongst Auckland's inner-city high-rise residents. Findings – The authors found the experience and expression of social isolation consistent across all age groups, with highest correlation between functional social isolation and “being student”, and older adults (60+ years), length of tenure in current apartment and length of time residents have lived in the inner-city. Research limitations/implications – As a case study, we did not seek in this research to compare the experience and expressions of social isolation in different inner-city contexts, nor of inner-city high-rise residents in New Zealand and other countries, although these will be useful areas to explore in future studies. Practical implications – This study is a useful starting point to build evidence base for professionals working in health and social care services to develop interventions that will help reduce functional social isolation amongst young adults and older adults in inner-city high-rise apartments. This is particularly important as the inner-city population of older adults grow due to international migration, and sub-national shifts from suburbs to the inner-cities in response to governmental policies of urban consolidation. Originality/value – By identifying two forms of social isolation, namely functional and structural social isolation, we have extended previous analysis of social isolation and found that “living alone” or structural social isolation did not necessarily lead to functional social isolation. It also touched on the links between functional social isolation and self-efficacy of older adults, particularly those from immigrant backgrounds.

scholarly journals Teaching innovations in Asian higher education: perspectives of educators

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.M. Wong
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
The Other ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Advanced Technologies ◽  
The Many

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the teaching innovations that have been implemented in higher education institutions in Asia and the perspectives of educators on them. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 educators who were affiliated with 23 higher education institutions in ten Asian countries/regions. The interviews covered information about the teaching innovations of the participants’ institutions, the characteristics of the innovative practices and the participants’ views on them. The relationships between the characteristics of institutions and their teaching innovations were also examined. Findings The results showed that the teaching innovations included two main categories, namely, those which involved the use of advanced technologies and those which did not. The innovations that involved the use of advanced technologies were mainly from larger institutions, while the other category was mainly from smaller ones and had been practised for less than 1.5 years. Differences were also identified between the two categories in terms of the aims and importance of innovations, innovative features, the evaluation of innovations and improvements needed for them. Originality/value The results highlighted that technology is only one of the many aspects of teaching innovations, which is different from the view prevailing in the literature. They also suggested that differences in the scale of institutions (in terms of number of students) possibly influences the kind of teaching innovations adopted.

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